*Photograph: Alan Peebles

Officials in the rural and community development section of Clare County Council are to write to RTÉ seeking a change to its broadcasting schedule.

Senior executive officer with the local authority, Bernie Haugh confirmed at the February meeting of the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that RTÉ are to be contacted to seek a change to their broadcasting schedule.

No schedule change has been implemented by the State broadcaster in the first six weeks of the year, she stated and felt the public’s mood needed a lift which has prompted the decision to write to RTÉ.

Comedian, Colm O’Regan who is confirmed to be part of the schedule for the 2021 Ennis Book Club Festival earlier this month issued a call for RTÉ to air more stand-up comedy during the lockdown to “make people laugh. Not a formulaic interview or a celeb trying to be funny or dressing up in a funny hat. Just like jokes, satire. That kind of thing”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) outlined that two tragic deaths had occurred in separate communities in recent weeks. He felt a ten to fifteen minute daily well-being segment on Clare FM’s Morning Focus could be implemented to aid the public mood.

Haugh confirmed that this had been undertaken already with Clare FM, “we’ve launched various initiatives, we ran a six week campaign on various themes with Clare FM”. She also stated that a wraparound feature also appeared in The Clare Champion. “More parochial stations” are to be looked at in a bid to further help the public, the SEO confirmed.